Taz, I guess saying I will NEVER own one is a bit strong, but there is currently no front engine cars that I lust for. Greg
Greg- I will buy that. Right now there is no mid-engine car after which I lust. Except maybe a 360 CS or a 512 TR. F512M may be a better car, but just do not like the styling as well as the TR/512 TR. Taz Terry Phillips
If you read EVO then there was a long term test of a 550 maranelo by Harry metcalfe, the figures of ownership would make you weep, nothing major but fairly constant. It is worth reading to get an idea of what you are in for. BTW they also love the z06 and slate the zr1. In any event for 65K a great 550 would be hard to ignore, assuming it did not want to eat another 20k and that is the problem with a 550. One other thing, given how crappily most people treat their cars buying a used fcar is fraught with potential disaster. I am guessing that most were not properly warmed, meaning engines and gearboxes have shorter than planned life expectancy. And if you look at most clowns who buy a new ferrari they are likely to have been mistreated in some way. But yes it is possible to find a properly cared for example, I think a 550 would make an awesome daily, subtle and comfortable to just drive around in.
Sean- You are barking up the wrong tree. There are just no problems with 550 engines and transmissions, once the plenum hoses and motor mounts are fixed. Let me know when you find someone who has worn out a Maranello engine or transmission. Just like the flat 12 engines, the F133 engines are as tough as cockroaches. I also disagree on new owners mistreating their investments. Why would anyone do that with a quarter million dollar car? Buying a used car is always fraught with dangers, but worrying about your Maranello engine or transmission wearing out is not one of them. Taz Terry Phillips
Scaled, Craig- How about a quote. "Almost 10,000 Testarossas, 512 TRs, and F512 Ms were produced, making it one of the most common Ferrari models, despite its high price and exotic design." There were fewer Maranellos, Barchettas, and Superamericas built. I buy "I like Testarossas better", "I like mid-engined cars better", "TRs have more dramatic styling than Maranellos and Maranello derivatives", and "TRs are lower than Maranellos", but anything on being rarer, better performing, better ergonomically, or easier to maintain is just wishful thinking. How come you guys are not getting even over in the V12 forum? Taz Terry Phillips
Spot on! I should add the fuel lines, o'rings and hoses on the 550 and the wheels. At least 2 arrived to me, with small cracks on the wheels, potencially dangerous. Obviously, this has something to do also with bad driving... But Ferrari knows the problem of "misforged" early 550 Maranellos wheels...
Happy to hear it, always been a fan of the 550, with prices going where they are, looks to be a good buy. My question then would be how different a drive is it from a 456, because apart from decent acceleration past 100 and great looks the 456 sucked. It was way too floaty and had steering feel that would be good on an old cadillac, certainly a caddy DTS is better. Given its understated yet classic looks the 550 would make a great semi daily if it were :reliable" Reliable in fcar terms means other than routine and preventative maintanace it does not suffer a myriad of issues like windows hoses tranny and unknown things that suddenly let go. Since I am heading in the direction of a spf gt40n for track fun something civilised for the road has appeal.
Sean- I have never driven a 456, so cannot help you there. On 456s, 550s, and 575Ms, one of the biggest improvements that can be made is to replace the Hydraulic Steering ECU with the one from the Fiorano Handling Package (FHP). Very simple, just pull the old one and plug in the new one. FHP was a $4K handling package available on both the 550 and 575M. It included the steering ECU above, shorter and stiffer springs, colored caliper brakes with Pagid 4-4 racing pads, and a larger, stiffer rear anti-roll bar that is 21mm vs 17mm for stock. If you try a 550 or 575M, prices of both of which are now very affordable, and it is too soft for you, many owners have upgraded their cars with some FHP parts. Just putting in the steering ECU and stiffer rear anti-roll bar makes a huge improvement for a very modest investment and leaves ride unaffected. FHP (or HGTC) springs could be next, but are probably not needed. Porterfield or Pagid pads could also be done, but standard 550/575M brakes (330x32mm F, 310x28mm R) are very capable. My 575M has the FHP option, and it has an excellent compromise between ride and handling. Taz Terry Phillips
And you dont think a TR is big????????? Better get out the tape measure. Ugly? Matter of opinion. I like the TR but many do not. So what? If you buy a Lambo it is your own damn fault. They have a long history of not supporting the product and changing ownership every few years. Every new owner pretends all the cars prior never happened. We have an LM002. Lamborghini can't even tell me for sure if they ever even built those things much less what parts might or might not fit. At least Ferrari is a real car company. I work on these cars every day, every day I hear of more parts that are being discontinued for TR's. It will happen to them all. Given a little time, if there are enough cars around and enough owners willing to pay the price someone steps in and makes something that works but when you have a teeny tiny niche company like the raging steer no one really cares because all those are used for is parking in front of the house to impress the neighbors. Besides, all their electronic parts either come from Ferrari or are made by a couple of teenagers in the garage from Radio Shack parts. Really bad joke but has no relation to anything past, present or future at Ferrari.
Wow! I guess some people have to bash the brand because they feel inadequate? It's not my fault that when I go to Ferrari club meets in my Diablo there is always a swarm of people around it, they walk right past the Ferraris like they are Ford pick-ups. My best friend did the ferrari thing, F355, then F360 and F430, he now has a Murci and will never go back. BTW, I own an 89TR, I like the car but it is no Lambo!
For sure ! The TR is a boat --- one of the biggest (volume-wise, not weight, of course) Maranello ever built ! You have to go back to the 365/400/412 sedans to find a bigger Ferrari ----- even the 365GTC/4 was slightly smaller than the TR.
I case you did not notice we have a Lambo too. And I was in Lambo dealers. My direct experience with the cars and the company is what has formed my opinion of them. Its not just brand bashing. If you do not agree, be specific. I can support my beliefs, can you?
BRIAN -- I don't want to stick my nose in the middle of a "bull fight".... But, would you agree that many of the issues (spare parts supply, customer support, electronics quality, etc.) at Lamborghini have improved greatly since the VW/Audi involvement ?
It is my understanding the the cars and dealers of Lambo has changed substantially since Audi bought them and took over
BTW, the LM-series is as much (if not more) the fault of Chrysler's incompetent meddling at the time ---- as "loose" as the Lamborghini ship has always been, at least they've survived. Chrysler couldn't even find a full buyer for their derelict boat ---- Fiat's only in it for the North American distribution channels.......they couldn't care less about the Chrysler name or its crappy products.
Dear Ferraristi, No....none of that stuff for me. If it's not mid engined, low and wide.....it's not bling! OK, I'll say it.....I will NEVER own a front engined Italian corvette. No need for a TR to be rarer, better performing, or better...hahhaha....ergonomically.... It's a Testarossa and in your face. It commands the road with presence of width...nothing style wise can touch it except for a Lamborghini. V12 forum?....we're on the TR forum...that's where all the cool, no socks, white linen suit guys hang out. Taz...I will give you credit for trying to say a 550/575 measures up to a TR. While all your arguments may be logical.....it's a Ferrari and better than that, a Testarossa...it defies logic !! Big? Big is a fat cow....like a 599 or a "skank"oletti. A TR is low, sleek and wide ! Please see description..... Bawhahahah....true that.... but "When the doors go up.....the panties go down" Nothing gets the hot young chicks like a Lamborghini Diablo.....yes, that's what it's all about! Boy...I wish you told me about those two teenagers from Radio shack....I coulda saved quite a bit instead of paying $6500.00 for that GFA computer module from Lamborghini. ...yeah, the cars are fat, all the vents and scoops panned away....not even a p*nis...I mean wing anymore. ...a Lamborghini without a wing?!!? ....like saying a black silk shirt WITHOUT a gold chain....or yikes !.....without a hairy chest. If you want extreme style....go Lamborghini Diablo ! Shamile Freeze....Miami Vice !
Hey! You stole my line that I stole from you! Since I was no help first time, I'll give opinion here, masquerading as actual content. To me, cars that help 'define' their slots in history have a better chance of appreciation. Countless examples abound. I'd say the TR does that handily. People keep prognosticating, "Surely THIS must be the bottom" only to be 'rebottomed' a year later. But really, the bottom must surely be close. We can all smell it from here anyway. I love the 550/575. It is UNQUESTIONABLY a more 'competent' car than the TR. So sue me. Fortunately competency isn't on the list of rarified attributes that make collectors outbid each other. The TR is a fine car for its day; the 'fastest in the world'; ground-breaking styling; a sex-crazed extroverted 12 cylinder hyper car. Those attributes make people outbid each other. Oh sure, the TR isn't 'rare enough' but nor are original Mustangs. All that it takes is a few more solvent people who want one than there are GOOD cars on the market at the time, and the values will tilt. At some point, the TR values (and specifically I believe the 512TR) will pass the 550/575s going the other way. Totally my guess, and worth about what you paid here to get it. Time will tell.
You know what they say about future values. If kids did not have posters of them on their walls than there is little chance of them becoming future collectibles. Lots of Testarossa posters on kids walls {including mine} but I doubt there were many 550 posters on kids walls!
